Free Irvin Dana Beal

Irvin Dana Beal was incarcerated for transport of Medical Marijuana. We can not allow the “War on Drugs” policy to victimize another human being. The public is now aware that in September, 2011, while awaiting transfer from jail to prison in Wisconsin after pleading guilty and being sentenced on a similar charge, Dana had a heart attack, which resulted in double-bypass open heart surgery. One week after returning to prison this past February, he had another heart attack and a stent had to be placed. He has other serious medical issues which are not being addressed in prison. We can not stand by while Mr. Beal is losing his rights, and even possibly dying in prison.

Letter to

Judge Mary Gilbride of Saunders District Court of Wahoo, Nebraska

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Judge Mary Gilbride of Saunders District Court of Wahoo, Nebraska.

----------Irvin Dana Beal was incarcerated for transport of Medical Marijuana. We can not allow the “War on Drugs” policy to victimize another human being. The public is now aware that in September, 2011, while awaiting transfer from jail to prison in Wisconsin after pleading guilty and being sentenced on a similar charge, Dana had a heart attack, which resulted in double-bypass open heart surgery. One week after returning to prison this past February, he had another heart attack and a stent had to be placed. He has other serious medical issues which are not being addressed in prison. We can not stand by while Mr. Beal is losing his rights, and even possibly dying in prison. A 2002 review of medical literature by Franjo Grotenhermen states that medical cannabis has established effects in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, premenstrual syndrome, unintentional weight loss, insomnia, and lack of appetite. Other "relatively well-confirmed" effects were in the treatment of "spasticity, painful conditions, especially neurogenic pain, movement disorders, asthma, [and] glaucoma".Preliminary findings indicate that cannabis-based drugs could prove useful in treating inflammatory bowel disease, migraines, fibromyalgia, and related conditions.Medical cannabis has also been found to relieve certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries by exhibiting antispasmodic and muscle-relaxant properties as well as stimulating appetite.Other studies state that cannabis or cannabinoids may be useful in treating alcohol abuse, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, collagen-induced arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, bipolar disorder, colorectal cancer, HIV-Associated Sensory Neuropathy depression, dystonia, epilepsy, digestive diseases, gliomas, hepatitis C, Huntington's disease, leukemia, skin tumors, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Parkinson's disease, pruritus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psoriasis, sickle-cell disease, sleep apnea, and anorexia nervosa. Controlled research on treating Tourette syndrome with a synthetic version of tetrahydrocannabinol, (brand name Marinol) (the main psychoactive chemical found in cannabis), showed the patients taking Marinol had a beneficial response without serious adverse effects; other studies have shown that cannabis "has no effects on tics and increases the individuals inner tension". Case reports found that cannabis helped reduce tics, but validation of these results requires longer, controlled studies on larger samples.A study done by Craig Reinarman surveyed among why people in California used cannabis and it found many reasons why people had used cannabis. It was used to relieve pain, muscle spasms, headaches, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, depression, cramps, panic attacks, diarrhea, and itching. Others used cannabis to improve sleep, relaxation, appetite, concentration or focus, and energy. Some patients used it to prevent medication side effects, anger, involuntary movements, and seizures, while others used it as a substitute for other prescription medications and alcohol.According to an approved statement from the US Department of Justice in 1988, "Nearly all medicines have toxic, potentially lethal effects. But cannabis is not such a substance. There is no record in the extensive medical literature describing a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality. In practical terms, cannabis cannot induce a lethal response as a result of drug-related toxicity."From January 1997 to June 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported zero deaths caused by the primary use of cannabis. In contrast, common FDA-approved drugs which are often prescribed in lieu of cannabis (such as anti-emetics and anti-psychotics), were the primary cause of 10,008 deaths. The cannabinoid THC has an extremely low toxicity and the amount that can enter the body through the consumption of cannabis plants poses no threat of death.The failure of the “War on Crime”, and the victimization of American citizens – especially of ill American’s looking for safe natural medicines (not wanting the side effects of the alternative synthetic and often deadly prescription medications), is being recognized by LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), and many politicians are joining in ending this farce. Your Honor, we respectfully request that you consider the person, Irvin Dana Beal, have mercy, and don’t make him another statistic for the political farce called the “War on Drugs”. You’re in the position to protect your community with justice. Please free Irvin Dana Beal.